Immigration: 10 Basic Terms to Know

Immigration has long been a topic that sparks nationwide discussion. Today, buzzwords like “undocumented” and “refugee” dominate conversations around this topic. Often, the government has very specific definitions of various and words and terms.

Ironically, for one of the more controversial words often heard, there is no official or agreed upon definition.

Below you will find explanations of terms as well as the federal government source and for some entries, the local relevance.

Asylum seeker/asyleeAn individual seeking safety in the U.S. due to fear of persecution in their home country due to their race, religion, political opinion, etc. This is similar to a refugee, but an asylum seeker must be in the U.S. when they request asylum.

ICEThis commonly used acronym stands for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for immigration enforcement. It was formed in 2003 and meant to better protect the country after 9/11.

ImmigrantAny alien who is in the U.S., except people living in the country as non-immigrants. (This is the technical definition stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act. In public discourse, immigrant may be used in varying ways — like to describe someone who has been naturalized as an American citizen).

Non-immigrantAn alien seeking entry into the U.S. for a temporary period of time. There are several classifications of non-immigrants stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act, including foreign government officials, people on business or personal trips and international students.

RefugeeA person who has left their country and is unwilling or unable to return due to fear of persecution that is based on their race, religion, peers or political opinion. They become eligible for lawful and permanent residency after a year of continuous presence in the U.S. The United Nations Refugee Agency offers more details on the distinctions between migrants and refugees.

Sanctuary cityThis term, though it has no official or legal meaning, generally refers to local jurisdictions that don’t fully cooperate with federal efforts to find and deport undocumented immigrants. Philadelphia prefers the term “welcoming city,” meaning that city employees are not allowed to ask about the documentation status of the people they encounter.

Undocumented vs. illegal immigrantAccording to a document produced bythe Office of Family and Community Engagement for the School District of Philadelphia, “undocumented” describes someone who has entered the country without permission. “Illegal” is dehumanizing and should be avoided.